Assigned on request
Fredericksburg, VA 22407

I used to go to Thornburg Middle School, but I ended up leaving to do homeschool because it just got too crazy. At first, I thought people were exaggerating when they said it was bad — nope. They weren’t.You only get two minutes to change classes, which basically means running for your life every single period. The halls are packed, people push, and if you drop something… just say goodbye. The bullying is awful too. It’s everywhere, and hardly anyone steps in to stop it. Sometimes it even felt like the teachers didn’t care — or they were just too burned out to deal with it.And honestly, I get why. Teachers were quitting all the time — like one day they’re there, the next day they’re just gone. The food is gross (mystery meat is real), and it feels like the school has zero funding for anything.There were fights almost every week and lockdowns so often that people barely reacted anymore. It was kind of scary, but after a while, you just got used to the chaos — which is probably the saddest part.Now that I’m homeschooled, I actually feel safe and can focus again. Thornburg wasn’t just a tough school — it was a full-on endurance test. If you made it through there, you deserve a medal.

"Best Boarding School in the Nation" is how my son put it after he graduated and was asked a few months later about it by a cousin of mine whose daughter is now a residential student there and doing great. My son's social and language disabilities have improved significantly. He is much more independent that I ever thought he would be. Students live at Riverview but can call home daily and with modern technology can keep in touch on-line. Riverview has informed us regarding his triumphs and his missteps. They have viewed all of his mistakes as "teachable moments". They scaffold the learning, so he faces challenges that do not overload his stress capacity. In this way, he can function without a huge amount of anxiety. The staff also helps with socialization as well as academics. When we first came to Riverview, our family was completely centered around him. He now helps plan vacations, cleans the house, calls relatives to stay in touch, and takes care of his own priorities and possessions. Riverview has a plan for their own growth (i.e. vocational programs, employee benefits, and infrastructure) which in turn, is instrumental in the growth of their students. Riverview has helped him move out of his comfort zone and move into a learning zone. We can't thank them enough!The school has incredible teachers and a wonderful environment. Nurturing, caring and people who understand what people need emotionally and socially.

When I was here at this school they locked up all the bathrooms upstairs and downstairs and there’s only 1 restroom available and it’s random every hour and makes me late to class because of these bathroom passes I know it’s to see where people are but atleast tell people we’re the bathrooms are opened